Orlando :'(

Beauty follows pain.


It's time to get shit done.

 Love must win in the end.

New Sci-fi Anthology

Hey everyone! Torquere's sci-fi geek anthology Theory of Love releases tomorrow, 18 May! While my own contribution to this collection is f/f, there is no shortage of yummy m/m stories to choose from. Read what the publisher has to say below.

In Theory of Love, we wave our geek flag high! Tales from deep space, sci-fi realities, technology, academia, and cosplay are brought together in this collection. In Dale Cameron Lowry’s Far From Home, long-distance spouses fan the flames of passion while fighting to save humanity. Meat Space by Lynn Townsend, brings virtual space and the real world crashing into a new reality. Asta Idonea’s Captive shows us that love can form in any manner of situations. Beta Tester by Charles Payseur immerses the reader—and the characters—in a virtual reality that brings a friendship to a whole new level. K.S. Trenten’s A Symposium in Space, love is a different meal to every guest. Unexpected Dilemmas by Jessica Payseur long-distance lovers face hijacking and natural disaster to be together. Kayla Bashe’s Medic to the Hivemind a stranded student is saved by a mysterious voice with secrets. Being Jake by Lila Mathews shows readers that smart is sexy. In DC Juris’ Torn Apart, love provides the will to survive. Shattered Space by Alain Bell shows how love can grow from destruction. Maia Strong’s All ‘Ships May Sail connects cosplay, fandoms, and something more. Trash and Treasures by M.D. Grimm gives us a deal made in interstellar space that could be more than either party bargained for.

In theory, love is easy.

Hop on over to Torquere Books to read more about this collection, including excerpts!

Theory of Love Anthology

Coupon code!

Happy Sunday, Slashers. Just letting you know about a coupon code available for 25% off from Torquere Press! You can use it to buy the final installment of the Never Too Early series, which is getting rave reviews all over the place. Chris and I are so grateful!

Michelle at Joyfully Jay's review

This review from Susan65 at The Blogger Girls is incredibly honest, which Chris and I really appreciate. We knew that pairing up two already established couples would be a difficult thing for some people to read, but we took a chance anyway. (Ha, Chance.) Susan did a great job of articulating her concerns and her feelings, while still remaining as objective as possible.

Susan65 at The Blogger Girls' review


And finally, the coupon code you've been waiting for.... VAMP2015. Use and enjoy!

Oh PS -- if you're on Goodreads and you've read Never Too Early: Full Circle, would you mind leaving us a review? Good, bad, or indifferent, doesn't matter. We appreciate them all.

Goodreads -- Never Too Early: Full Circle

New gay Christmas romance!

I'm super excited to share Charlie and Gavin's holiday romance with you all. I wanted to write a holiday story that has angst and emotion and isn't solely fluff. My goal was also to make it sexy and hot, but to include those warm and cuddly holiday feels as well. I hope I've succeeded. :)

To be home for Christmas, they must bridge the distance between them.

Charlie Yates is desperate. It’s almost Christmas and his flight home from college has been delayed. For days. Charlie promised his little sister Ava he’d be home for her first holiday season since going into remission from leukemia. Now he’s stuck on the opposite coast and someone else grabbed the last rental car. Someone he hasn’t even spoken to in four years. Someone who broke his heart.

Gavin Bloomberg’s childhood friendship with Charlie ended overnight after a day of stolen kisses. With years of resentment between them, they don’t want to be in the same room together, let alone a car. But for Ava’s sake, Gavin agrees to share the rental and drive across the country together.

As they face unexpected bumps along the road, can Charlie and Gavin pave the way to a future together?

Buy now:

All Romance | Amazon.com | Amazon global
Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Smashwords

3 more days...

... until release day! That's right, November 25 is just around the corner. The day before American Thanksgiving, in fact, so believe me when I say that Chris and I are EXTRA thankful this year!

(Ignore the fact that she's actually Canadian and doesn't celebrate American Thanksgiving. She will celebrate it through me.)

We have three gorgeous new covers for all the Never Too Early books, and you can now get them IN PRINT! Links here:

And the cover for Never Too Early: Full Circle (currently available for preorder) is just as beautiful as the other two. Huge props to Kris Norris for her hard work!

Be sure and tune in to the Romance for the Rest of Us blog on Wednesday. Chris and I will be hosting, sharing some stories about writing this series together, divulging tidbits about Jake and Tor and Chance and Tucker, and answering questions. Looking forward to seeing all of you there!

Motivation Monday & good news

I hope everyone is having a good November so far. I can't believe that we are already into the second week of the month. Time is flying by!! 

I have some good news. My Christmas themed M/M story "Under Wraps" is currently in the works to be released by the end of the month. No exactly release date yet, but I'm excited it's found a new home and the upcoming adventure of semi-self publishing. :) 

It's almost release time!

Another beautiful autumn Sunday here in southern California! At least the nights have finally turned cool, if not the days. All those meteorologists keep warning us that El Nino's on the way, but we're stil waiting.

It's finally release month for Chris Owen and me and we couldn't be more excited! The final installment of the Never Too Early series will be out on November 25. All three books will be released in print with all new covers! Our cover artist is super talented and did an amazing job and we can't wait to show them off. Stay tuned here or to our Facebook pages over the next few days for the reveals.

I'll leave you with the last little tease you'll get before Never Too Early: Full Circle comes out on November 25.

Chance was quiet for several minutes. A woodpecker in the front yard tree gave its high-pitched tweeting call before busily getting back to work.

"I definitely was not prepared," he finally said. "And I know Tuck wasn't. I'll have to really sit and talk with him to see what he thinks. I can't decide if us leaving today is a good idea or a shitty one."

"I'll miss you either way," Jake said. "I don't know Tucker well enough to know how long it takes him to think things through, and he might be uncomfortable being here. Which would suck. But you guys leaving and not being here to sort it all out sucks, too."

"There isn't much of a choice," Chance sighed. "Our flight is at two. If I didn't have to attend a meeting at headquarters tomorrow, I'd try and change it. But we -- well, at least I -- need to get home."

"I know." The distance sucked, and the fact that everyone had responsibilities they couldn't shake off was both a good thing and a bad thing. It made for good people, but it made it difficult to handle issues as they came up. "Maybe the four of us can make this morning a good one, and everyone will feel better by the time you leave. Even if things aren't completely settled, maybe they'll be better."

"It'll be better right now if you kiss me like you mean it."

Jake smiled and set his coffee mug aside. "Like I mean it?" He touched Chance's cheek and kissed his mouth softly. "More?"

"More." Chance smiled against Jake's lips and kept his eyes closed.

Jake gave him more, the smiles fading as the kisses deepened and Chance's mug was put down as well. They turned to each other, and Jake would have happily let his coffee go cold if he could stay right where he was for an hour or so.

Chance didn't seem inclined to go anywhere, either. He put both hands on Jake's face and held him gently as he pressed light kisses to Jake's forehead, cheeks, and bridge of his nose before returning to Jake's mouth with a sweep of his tongue and a slight nip. "I'll miss you," he murmured into Jake's ear, then sucked Jake's earlobe into his mouth for a split second.

"One of these days I'll ask you not to go," Jake whispered back. "Someday we'll stay together." Jake had no idea how that would work, but he knew that he wanted it.

Chance pulled back and looked at him, eyes soft. "Maybe someday we'll work it out."

Jake nodded and kissed him again. He was about to say something even more honest and probably embarrassing when the door opened and Tor said, "So, you two don't need more coffee, then?"

Wow, it's hard to believe that October is almost over, which brings Halloween just days away, thus bringing in full blown holiday season. 

Lots has been going on in my world. With my husband's recent retirement my world and schedule has been more wonky than ever. I also visited the "Big Apple" for the first time. For a small town woman like me it was a bit overwhelming but I had a great experience. I was also able to meet most of the cast of my favorite TV show, "Supernatural" & get some photos with them. *swoon*

As for my writing world, that too has made a turn. As of Sept 1st Secret Cravings Publishing closed. This publisher housed my M/M Christmas themed story "Under Wraps". With Christmas coming up it is unhoused. This led me into researching self publishing. I'm just a day or two away from making my final decision as to where to begin. I'm hoping to have my Christmas book back out, as well as another than has been unpublished for several years soon. I'm also very close to finishing the long awaited second book to my "Fallen Angels" book. Hopefully it will be submitted to my publisher by the New Year. 

So you see, busy, busy, busy. Most days I don't mind, it's just a matter of making a schedule and keeping to it.

Meanwhile, I hope everyone has a happy Halloween. Stay safe.

We have a release date...

We finally got a confirmed release date from our publisher for the final book in the Never Too Early series! Mark your calendars for....

NOVEMBER 25.

It's the day before American Thanksgiving, so don't tell me you have nothing to be thankful for. ;) Although it seems far off, it's only 45 days out. Chris and I are really, really pumped for this last book and we truly hope that readers enjoy the direction we took the story. I'll leave you with a small snippet, and if you haven't picked up the first two books yet, you can get a 25% rebate on them later this week from All Romance eBooks! They're having a great sale on Torquere books from October 15-31.

 I'll leave you with this little tidbit. Happy Sunday, slashers!

 

The playful joking continued all the way back to Tucker's truck, much to his delight. It was more challenging to spar with three others instead of one, and not for the first time, Tucker wished wistfully that Jake and Tor didn't live thousands of miles away. It was clear that Chance needed the quiet grounding Jake gave him, and although it pinged a tiny bit of concern, Tucker would much rather know that Chance was getting something he might have been missing.

They finished lunch and sat on the blanket for a while, just chatting. Tor and Chance had a mutual love for music and baseball, it turned out, so Tucker and Jake had a serious conversation about horses and the raising of them.

The sun was low over the ocean and the air had chilled by the time the four of them gathered up their belongings and piled back into Tucker's truck. He slid behind the wheel and smiled as Tor sprawled in the front seat next to him, looking as natural as if he'd been doing it for years. A glance in the rearview mirror showed Jake and Chance leaning against each other, fingers tangled.

Tucker felt warm and contented as he drove. The little niggling feelings of jealousy were normal, he thought. He'd get used to seeing Chance so cozy with someone else, right? Besides, he and Tor were pretty cozy themselves, and it couldn't be easy for Chance to watch that. On the other hand, Jake and Tor seemed pretty comfortable with it.

Yup, Tucker thought as they headed for home, it was definitely time to figure out what was going on.

 

Autumn, Halloween, and a Ghost

I love this time of year. The nights grow cooler, and the mornings crisp. I can sleep with the windows open, wear tall boots and a leather jacket, and leave the door open for the kittens to come and go as they please. The leaves change, splashing my backyard and my morning commute in bright vibrant colors. Football season is in full swing. The weather slowly shifts to perfect running temps with the risk of suffocating humidity or blistering, cloudless heat.

Autumn is my season. And best of all, it culminates in Halloween.

With an informal invitation already delivered in August, when I turned the calendar to September, I already had three different ideas for a costume. I can't decide. Should I play the sassy belly dancer? The curious woodland fey? The wary pirate? I have costumes for each, but why is a story (or stories) for another time. I'll decide that week. Or perhaps even that night.

In the meantime, to celebrate the season and the upcoming Samhain, I've created a sale for My Ghost on AllRomanceeBooks.com. Now through November 1st, My Ghost will be on sale for 60% off. If my calculations are correct that means the story is only a dollar for the entire month of October. And what better month to read a ghost story??

Here's all the info you need...

A ghost of my past haunts me already, so running into another in the same graveyard where it all began is almost more than I can stand.

Almost.

So why the hell did I bring him home?

~*~

On Sale at AllRomanceeBooks.com:

My Ghost on sale at ARe

Also available at Smashwords, Amazon, and B&N, though I make no promise to explore how to make sales work at other sites. 

Happy October and Blessed Samhain, dear Readers!

Pia Veleno

piaveleno.com

Forbidden love in the White House!

My contemporary gay romance about forbidden love in the White House is now available!


He’d give his life to protect the president’s son. But he never expected to risk his heart.

Growing up gay in the White House hasn’t been easy for Rafael Castillo. Codenamed “Valor” by the Secret Service, Rafa feels anything but brave as he hides in the closet and tries to stay below the radar in his last year of college. His father’s presidency is almost over, and he just needs to stick to his carefully crafted plan. Once his family’s out of the spotlight, he can be honest with his conservative parents about his sexuality and his dream of being a chef. It’s definitely not part of Rafa’s plan to get a new Secret Service agent who’s a walking wet dream, but he’s made it this long keeping his desires to himself. Besides, it’s not like Shane Kendrick would even look at him twice if it wasn’t his job.

Shane’s worked his way up through the Secret Service ranks, and while protecting the president’s shy, boring son isn’t his dream White House assignment, it’s an easy enough task since no one pays Rafa much attention. He discovers there’s a vibrant young man beneath the timid public shell, and while he knows Rafa has a crush on him, he assures himself it’s harmless. Shane’s never had room for romance in his life, and he’d certainly never cross that line with a protectee. Keeping Rafa safe at any cost is Shane’s mission.

But as Rafa gets under his skin, will they both put their hearts on the line?

Buy now:

All Romance | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Smashwords

September? Wow.

I really hate letting so much time pass between posts, but the day job is exceptionally time-consuming right now. I do like trying to get in at least one post a month, so let's see if I can keep that up. (Spoiler: maybe.)

The release month for the third book in the Never Too Early series is November! No exact date yet, but I'll be sure and let you know as soon as I get the word. In the meantime, have a little excerpt. See you next month!

***

Tucker shut the water off just as it was starting to cool and tossed Tor a fluffy blue towel. "Can fix you guys omelettes for breakfast. Or if that's too fancy for your cowboy asses, I'll let you have some of my Corn Pops."

"Hell, toast is about all we really need, but I'm not going to turn down eggs." Tor couldn't remember the last time he'd had a breakfast cereal that was coated in sugar; Jake had forbidden it from the house shortly after Jacob had moved in. Now that the kid was off to college and not even coming home for summers, maybe Tor could sneak some back in.

Probably not.

"Good. Wasn't really gonna give you my Pops. If you want Chance's healthy stuff, be my guest." Tucker laughed and gave Tor one more kiss. "Mushroom and avocado omelettes, comin' up."

They toweled off and parted in the hall, Tucker going to his own room for clothes, and Tor back to the guest room. Jake hadn't even moved, as far as Tor could tell. He was still buried in a blanket, his eyes closed.

"Time to get your ass up," Tor told him, rummaging around for his clothes. "The day is getting old."

"Coffee?" Jake sounded only slightly more awake than he looked.

Tor snorted and grinned. "It'll happen. C'mon, up you get."

Jake rolled over and stretched, long and hard, then melted back onto the bed. "You've been up long enough to mess around in the shower and make coffee."

Jeans found, Tor pulled them on and nodded at Jake. "Yep. But only one got done." He could almost feel the endorphins in his bloodstream like little glittery bits of happy. "Come on, don't let Chance come home and find out how lazy you are."

It was both adorable and amusing how quickly Jake scowled at him, growled that he wasn't lazy, and got up. "You are mean and rude, and I'm going to clean up," he mumbled, heading out and toward the guest bathroom. He was wearing pale blue boxers and his hair was all stuck up on one side. It was almost enough to entice Tor back into the bathroom. "Coffee. You go make."

Tor's urge to go maul Jake dissolved in a fit of laughing. "Yes, yes. Coffee. Chance will be home soon."

Jake waved a hand in the general direction of the hallway wall and left.

Shaking his head, Tor sat on the bed to pull on his socks. So far this surprise visit was going along great -- he'd had time with Tucker, he'd woken up around Jake, and aside from the overly thoughtful look on Tucker's face, things were smooth and wonderful.

That look, though. That was something to find out about. Tor had a feeling that this thing they were building was too important to let things slide for long. Maybe Chance being home would help conversations happen.

Two to tango

I got nothin', so I offer this short video from Objective Tango's Facebook page:

Men's Tango

Enjoy. :-)

Get-Up and Write

I haven’t written since the editing rounds required to get Fallen back to the market.

Sad statement. Yet, I’m not devastated. Sure, I want to write. I crave it. But I also have to pay the bills, and my royalties weren’t anywhere close to that kind of value. So, the day job – the day career – has been the priority, and rightly so.

Some writers would give up sleep to write, getting up early or staying up late. I’ve done that, and I’ve seen the difference of seven to eight hours of sleep. Some writers go from working in an office job all day, right to the laptop. I have arthritis in my neck and understand the benefits of exercise, so I go from the office to the box, and I don’t regret a single minute of it. Even when I pull muscles, feel like I’m going to vomit, or curse the owners for avoiding the excessive cost of air conditioning.

Could I find the time? Sure, I’m working on it. I’m shooting for quality time so the result will be a quality story, but for now I’ll settle for time. Drop by my blog for more on that. I will warn you, however, that since it seems that all I do is work, exercise, and sleep, you’re likely to get more than a handful of health-related blog posts. For security reasons, I can’t write about work, and sleep, well it’s not all that restful and my dreams don’t make sense, even to me, so yes, what’s left is an attempt to eat clean while still enjoying good food, and the challenge and tribulations of pushing my body to its limits.

I’m a Crossfitter. You’ve been warned. But if you’re at all curious, drop on by next weekend. My goal is a blog post every Sunday. I’m just you’re average Joe(tte). I’m not super strong. I’m not flexible. I’m certainly not fast. I just want to pass through this decade with painless grace. Let’s see how it goes. And if writing returns through the need to write something besides blather on a blog, then that’s the icing on the gluten-free non-GMO cake.

Pia Veleno
http://piaveleno.com

View image | gettyimages.com

An anti-social werewolf and snotty college freshman face the zombie apocalypse

Man, I have fallen down on the job when it comes to blogging here! I'm excited to say that I have a new release coming September 9 called Valor on the Move. In the meantime, here's the info on my last book from late May.

To live through the zombie apocalypse they have to survive each other first.

College freshman Parker Osborne is having the worst day ever. He humiliated himself trying to pick up a cute guy, he hasn’t made any friends at school, and his stupidly hot jerk of a TA gave him a crappy grade on his paper. He’s going to drop Adam Hawkins’ film class and start fresh tomorrow after he’s had a good sulk.

But Parker’s about to find out what a bad day really looks like—if he can survive the night.

A virus is unleashed, transforming infected people into zombie-like killers. After these quick and deadly creepers swarm campus, Parker only escapes thanks to Adam swooping him onto the back of his trusty motorcycle. Now they’re on the run—and stuck with each other.

When they’re not bickering, they’re fighting off the infected in a bloody battle for survival. Their only hope is to head east to Parker’s family, but orphaned Adam has a secret he’s not sure Parker will accept: he’s a werewolf. Can they trust each other enough to find some light in these dark days?

Buy now:

All Romance | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
iTunes | Kobo | Smashwords